Device for carrying portable equipment

ABSTRACT

A device for carrying portable equipment which includes a band configured to be worn on the limb of a person and to allow for the flow of air between the band and the limb of a person, and a pair of adjustable straps, one of each of the pair of adjustable straps being attached to opposite ends of the band. The device may be adapted to include a container integrally formed with the band. The device may also include a container with a sealable cover and a portable electronic device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a cellular telephone, integrally formed with the band.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for carrying portable equipment and particularly to a device for carrying personal equipment and incorporating personal electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Portable communication devices, such as cellular telephones, portable audio and video devices and personal digital assistants have become increasingly an inseparable part of daily life. Consequently, there is a need for apparatus to securely carry these devices around and enable the user to use them while leaving his hands free.

[0003] Containers for housing valuables and small articles are known as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,136, 4,913,326 and 6,321,957. A specifically designed wrist watch telephone is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,366.

[0004] However, prior art devices tend to be uncomfortable and restrictive for the user, lack flexibility and not adapted for outdoor use including sporting activities and field workers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a device for protecting valuables which can be worn on a person's arm, for example. In a further embodiment of the invention, the device may incorporate a portable electronic device such as a cellular phone or a personal digital assistant.

[0006] There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a device, which includes a band configured to be worn on the limb of a person and to allow for the flow of air between the band and the limb of a person, and a pair of adjustable straps, one of each of the pair of adjustable straps being attached to opposite ends of the band.

[0007] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the device may further include a container integrally formed with the band. The device may also include a sealable cover suitably attached to the container. The sealable cover may be transparent.

[0008] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the band, the cover and container may be configured to be at least one of a group including shock resistant, water resistant, sea-water resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant. The container may include a power source, such as a battery and an illumination source.

[0009] In addition, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the device may further include a portable electronic device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a cellular telephone, integrally formed with the band.

[0010] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronic device may include a user interface and/or a wireless transmitter.

[0011] Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes electronic circuitry in communication with the portable electronic device, and other components including a display screen, a video camera, input/output (I/O) ports, a portable data storage device and a loudspeaker in communication with the portable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a band, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention configured to incorporate a container;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational view of the band of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the band of FIG. 1 together with a holding device, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the band of FIG. 1 in a closed position;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a portable electronic device integrally formed with a band of FIG. 1 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the band of FIG. 5; and

[0019]FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the portable electronic device of FIG. 5 together with a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a band, generally designated 10, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom elevational view of the band 10. The band 10 is configured to be worn on the limb of a person such as an arm or leg, for example. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the band 10 may be configured to be worn on any part of a person's body.

[0021] The band 10 comprises a pair of straps 12 attached at each end of the band 10. Each pair of straps may be closed together, by any suitable means such as Velcro™ or buckle, for example. On the underside 14 of the band 10, a plurality of projections 16 are integrally formed with the band. The projections 16, shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, form air canals 18 which allow a flow of air to pass between the projections 16 and thus enable the wearer to comfortably wear the band 10 without undue sweating, for example.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, band 10 is shown further comprising a container 32 integrally formed with band 10. The band 10 and the integral container 32 may be molded or extruded as an unitary element, for example. A cover 34 may be suitably attached (by hinges, for example) to the container 32. The cover 34 may be configured so as to effectively seal the container 32 against external elements, such as water and sea-water, for example. Furthermore, the cover 34 may be transparent so that the contents of the container are clearly visible without having to open the cover. In addition, the container 32 and cover 34 may be configured to be shock resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, a power source 36, such as battery, for example, may be installed within the container 32 and a light source 38 enabling the user to view the container 32 in the dark.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, a holding device 40 may be suitably attached to the container 32. Holding device, which may be molded to one side of container 32, may comprise a gripping element 42 which is configured to restrainingly grip an object 44, such as a mobile or cellular telephone or a portable electronic device such as a hand-held computer or portable audi0 device such as a MP3 player, for example. By placing the device in the gripping element 42, the user has both hands free to handle other devices and use the device without having to hold it as well.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the band of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

[0026] Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a schematic illustration of a band, generally designated 50, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of an invention.

[0027] Band 50 is similar to band 10, described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1. Similar elements are designated with the same reference numerals and will not be described further.

[0028] Band 50 comprises a pair of straps 12 attached at each end of the band 50. A plurality of projections 16 are integrally formed on the base of the band 50. Band 50 further comprises a portable electronic device 52 integrally formed with band 50. The portable electronic device 52 may include a personal digital assistant (PDA). Alternatively, a mobile or cellular telephone 53 may be integrated with the band 50. A user may then effectively wear the portable electronic device 52 or telephone, leaving the user's hands free for other purposes.

[0029] The portable electronic device 52 (FIG. 5) may comprise, inter alia, a user interface including an alphanumeric keyboard 54, designated keys 56 such as ‘send’ and ‘mail’ and a power source (not shown), such as a battery,

[0030] The portable electronic device 52 may further comprise a wireless transmitter 60 and a loudspeaker 62 within a cover 64.

[0031] The cover 64 may be suitably attached to the portable electronic device 52. The cover 64 may be configured so as to effectively seal the portable electronic device 52 against external elements, similar to cover 34 described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 2. such as water and sea-water, for example. Furthermore, the cover 64 may be transparent so that the contents of the container are clearly visible without having to open the cover. In addition, the band 50 and cover 64 may be configured to be resistant to shock, pressure and ultra-violet (UV).

[0032] The cover 64 may be configured to include a display screen 66 and a video camera 68 on the internal face of the cover 64. The screen may be any suitable display screen, known in the art, such as liquid crystal display (LCD). The video camera 68 may be any suitable camera, known in the art.

[0033] The various components may be connected by suitable electronic circuitry in communication therewith.

[0034] It will be appreciated by persons knowledgeable in the art that the portable electronic device 52 is not restricted to the example described and may be configured to include any internal or external device which is compatible with the portable electronic device 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, which is a side elevational view of FIG. 5, the portable electronic device 52 may be configured with input/output (I/O) ports 70 and optical or infrared port 72 so as to directly communicate with other devices. Furthermore, the portable electronic device 52 may be in communication with a portable data storage device, such as a memory card, for example.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, a container 80 may be suitably attached, molded or integrally formed with band 50 and portable electronic device 52 of FIG. 5.

[0036] Container 80 may be similar to integral container 32, described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1, having a cover 82 configured to effectively seal the container 80 against external elements. Furthermore, a power source, such as battery, for example, may be installed within the container 80 together with a light source 38.

[0037] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described above. For example, the band 50 of FIG. 5 may be configured so that the band comprises both a personal digital assistant (PDA) 52 in the base of the band and a cellular telephone in the cover of the band. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a band configured to be worn on the limb of a person and to allow for the flow of air between the band and the limb of a person; and a pair of adjustable straps, one of each of the pair of adjustable straps being attached to opposite ends of the band.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said band is configured to be at least one of a group including shock resistant, water resistant, sea-water resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant.
 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a container integrally formed with said band.
 4. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a sealable cover suitably attached to said container.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said sealable cover is transparent.
 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein said sealable cover is configured to be at least one of a group including shock resistant, water resistant, sea-water resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant.
 7. The device according to claim 3, wherein said container comprises a power source.
 8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising an illumination source in communication with said power source.
 9. The device according to claim 3, wherein said container is configured to be at least one of a group including shock resistant, water resistant, sea-water resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant.
 10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a portable electronic device integrally formed with said band.
 11. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a power source in communication with said portable electronic device.
 12. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a user interface configured to communicate with said portable electronic device.
 13. The device according to claim 10, wherein said portable electronic device is any one of a group including a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable audio or video device and a cellular telephone.
 14. The device according to claim 10, further comprising electronic circuitry in communication with said portable electronic device.
 15. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a wireless transmitter in communication with said portable electronic device.
 16. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a display screen in communication with said portable electronic device.
 17. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a loudspeaker in communication with said portable electronic device.
 18. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a video camera in communication with said portable electronic device.
 19. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a container integrally formed with said band.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said container is configured to be at least one of a group including shock resistant, water resistant, sea-water resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant.
 21. The device according to claim 19, wherein said sealable cover is transparent.
 22. The device according to claim 19, wherein said sealable cover is configured to be at least one of a group including shock resistant, water resistant, sea-water resistant, pressure resistant and ultra-violet (UV) resistant.
 23. The device according to claim 3, wherein said container comprises a user interface configured to communicate with a portable electronic device.
 24. The device according to claim 10, wherein said portable electronic device is any one of a group including a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable audio or video device and a cellular telephone.
 25. The device according to claim 24, further comprising electronic circuitry in communication with said portable electronic device.
 26. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a wireless transmitter in communication with said portable electronic device.
 27. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a display screen in communication with said portable electronic device.
 28. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a loudspeaker in communication with said portable electronic device.
 29. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a video camera in communication with said portable electronic device.
 30. The device according to claim 24, further comprising at least one input/output (I/O) port in communication with said portable electronic device.
 31. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a portable data storage device in communication with said portable electronic device. 